Josh Erickson of Wausau works at his desk at Rasmussen College in Wausau. / Shereen Skola/Gannett Central Wisconsin Media

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Shereen Skola

Gannett Central Wisconsin Media

Students work in the Learning Center at Rasmussen College in Wausau. / Dan Young/Gannett Central Wisconsin Media

Rasmussen College

Address: 1101 Westwood Drive, Wausau Campus director: Sue Williams Website:www.rasmussen.eduWhat you should know: Of the more than 500 local students taking courses through Rasmussen, approximately 80 percent are taking at least some classes online.

Employee profile: Josh Erickson

Age: 30 Residence: Wausau Position: Student adviser Josh Erickson came to Rasmussen as a student in July 2010 and worked as a student ambassador as part of a work-study program to help pay his tuition expenses. In September 2011, just two days after graduating from the school with a degree in business administration and management, he was hired as an administrative assistant. He was promoted to his current position in August. “Ever since I decided to finish college, my life has just blossomed,” Erickson said. “I know what that feels like, and I’m excited to help other people achieve their goals and find success.” Erickson chose a mostly online course of study because it gave him the flexibility he needed to complete his work. “If I was working, or if I was sick, or had appointments, I knew I could finish my work at 3 a.m. if I needed to,” Erickson said. Though he took the bulk of his courses online, Erickson said he spent plenty of hours getting extra help from the instructors at the Wausau campus when he needed it. He said that’s one of the key differences between Rasmussen and some other online learning programs. “Even though you may take classes online, this campus is a resource that’s open to you,” said Erickson, who is about halfway through a Masters of Business Administration program at a partner school. “The opportunities that have come my way through education have been just incredible, and I’m thankful every day.”

The entrance to Rasmusen College in Wausau. / Shereen Skola/Gannett Central Wisconsin Media

Examples of career clothing on display at Rasmussen College in Wausau. / Shereen Skola/Gannett Central Wisconsin Media

The library is open and ready for students at Rasmussen College in Wausau. / Shereen Skola/Gannett Central Wisconsin Media

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WAUSAU — Since Rasmussen College opened the doors of its Wausau campus in 2010, officials at the school have focused on a message of continual change to meet the evolving needs of students and employers.

Most recently, the school unveiled a new program — AcceleratED — designed for students with previous college credit who want to complete their degrees as quickly as possible. The school began enrolling students in the program in August, and some programs can be completed in just 18 months.

Campus director Sue Williams said AcceleratED is part of an overall effort to offer innovative programs that appeal to a wider variety of students.

“The new saying is, ‘Non-traditional is the new traditional,’” Williams said. “The average student now is what used to be the exception: mid-20s with a family, a job, juggling all of life’s challenges. Our goal is to deliver education in a way that helps those students with job security and higher pay.”

Williams said the school always has centered on adult education, but programs are constantly scrutinized and tweaked to deliver a curriculum that targets current employment opportunities and trends. The Rasmussen School of Business and the School of Health Sciences currently represent the largest number of students enrolled in classes at the college, Williams said. In response to the large number of job openings and students interested in health sciences, the school began offering an associate’s degree in nursing in October 2011.

“We make sure programs are marketable. We add new programs where we see a need, and we get rid of what doesn’t work,” Williams said. “Ultimately, we want our students to be successful.”

Rasmussen has 22 campuses in five states and offers online courses nationwide. Williams said having a traditional brick-and-mortar campus gives students the option to take courses either in person, online, or as a blend of both.

“We’ve offered online classes for over a decade, but we found that some people just don’t learn as well that way,” Williams said. “Some people need that live interaction with teachers and other students. Having an actual campus gives students the best of both worlds.”

Williams said the school also has bolstered its online environment by adding live lectures and online chats through Wimba Classroom, an online meeting room that allows face-to-face interaction in a virtual setting.

“Through Wimba, students can actually have a conversation with their instructor. Or, they can come to the campus for help. It’s all about building an effective learning environment for our students,” Williams said.